Even if we may not have noticed at the time, many of us probably spent much of our formative years surrounded by fabric folding partitions. Personally I remember there being dozens of these fabric partitions in my primary school, providing flexible room dividers in our classrooms and to our main school hall. My Grandmother, who ran a small sweet shop in Worcestershire when I was very young, even had one in her shop, a real testament to the versatility of these accordion types of partitioning.
Since they were first used in the UK back in the early 1960s, fabric folding partitions have been an immensely popular means of sub-dividing rooms in a wide range of sectors due to their ease of use, longevity and affordable price. Although particularly well suited for educational environments, during my 14 years within the folding partition industry I have noticed that the flexible, versatile nature of these partitions allows them to also be very well suited to many other surroundings.
WHERE ARE FABRIC ROOM DIVIDERS USED?
SCHOOLS
By some distance the most common use of fabric folding partitions is in schools, specifically primary schools. These partitions can be found in primary schools up and down the UK, some of which have been in place for a few decades, others have either been installed to replace older partitions or have been included in a new build.
As fabric partitions tend to be lightweight, durable, easy to clean and generally very easy to operate they have been extremely well suited for sub-dividing school rooms for many years. However, since BB 93 “Acoustic Design of Schools” was published in 2003 (and since updated December 2014) there have been strict guidelines put in place for the minimum acoustic rating of partitions which divide two classrooms. This has meant that, whilst fabric partitions are still immensely popular in school environments, there are an increasing amount of solid folding partitions and movable walls being installed between classrooms. Following the release of BB 93, studies into the acoustic performance of fabric partitions were ongoing and a more acoustically efficient product was introduced to the UK market in 2006, capable of achieving 35dB sound reduction – a 3dB increase on the previous maximum level. This development has helped to maintain the demand for fabric folding partitions in primary schools around the country.
As fabric partitions tend to be lightweight, durable, easy to clean and generally very easy to operate they have been extremely well suited for sub-dividing school rooms for many years. However, since BB 93 “Acoustic Design of Schools” was published in 2003 (and since updated December 2014) there have been strict guidelines put in place for the minimum acoustic rating of partitions which divide two classrooms. This has meant that, whilst fabric partitions are still immensely popular in school environments, there are an increasing amount of solid folding partitions and movable walls being installed between classrooms. Following the release of BB 93, studies into the acoustic performance of fabric partitions were ongoing and a more acoustically efficient product was introduced to the UK market in 2006, capable of achieving 35dB sound reduction – a 3dB increase on the previous maximum level. This development has helped to maintain the demand for fabric folding partitions in primary schools around the country.
NURSERIES
The simple yet effective features of the vinyl concertina partitions are also ideal for nurseries and playschools. The appeal of this type of partitioning system is much the same as for schools: the light weight of these partitions makes them easy for staff to operate them, their durability is highly advantageous with dozens of young children playing nearby, there are no finger traps where the children may hurt themselves and the surfaces can be wiped clean easily if they become dirty. There are many fabric folding partitions installed in children’s nurseries all over the UK as they are a great way to provide flexible space in this kind of environment.
CHURCHES
A common setting where I have been asked to provide a fabric folding partition is church halls, although fabric partitions are lightweight, they are remarkably sturdy and capable of being built up to 6 metres high. This makes them an ideal, easy to operate, solution for large church halls that typically have ceiling heights well above 3 metres and can often be 15-25 metres wide. Of course, at this size it would be foolish to attempt to produce a single wing system consisting of one partition which spanned the entire width and stacked back to one side; these accordion partitions can be manufactured to include a floating wing so we can use (for example) 4 separate pieces which join together to form one larger screen when it is fully opened out to partition off the room.
These systems can also be seen in church teaching areas, meeting rooms or storage areas.
These systems can also be seen in church teaching areas, meeting rooms or storage areas.
HOSPITALS
Over recent years there has been an increasing demand for accordion partitions to be used in hospitals and other medical settings. One popular use is to have several partitions fitted between patient’s beds instead of the traditional curtains; the flexibility of these products allows this to be possible with the partitions joining together by means of meeting posts and in some cases manufacturing the partitions to be curved.
VILLAGE HALLS
If you step into your local village hall, there is a good chance you will find a folding partition of some description. Arguably the most popular style of folding partition in village halls is the fabric type. Village halls themselves share many characteristics with this kind of partition system – flexible, durable, multi-purpose, user-friendly, easy to operate – OK, I might be trying a bit too hard with that comparison, but the point I am trying to make is that fabric folding partitions are very well suited to the village hall environment. With so many different activities going on it is important to have flexible partitioning which can be operated easily, accordion partitions are lightweight and can be opened and closed in a matter of seconds which perfectly suits this environment.
COMMUNITY CENTRES
Essentially, everything that I just mentioned about the suitability of these systems in village halls also applies to community centres. The need for flexibility in these environments lends itself to the versatility of folding partitions.
RESIDENTIAL HOMES
Where there is a requirement for flexible partitioning but acoustic performance is not such an issue, fabric vinyl concertina partitions are often considered the perfect solution. They offer a relatively low cost solution that can allow staff to close rooms off and have multiple activities ongoing in the same room if needed. A project I worked on a few years ago did exactly this in their communal lounge area where we supplied them with half a dozen accordion partitions, each fitted to a column. The end result meant they could either open the whole room up or divide the room into smaller sections and have multiple activities in the same area, which helped them keep their running costs down as they were no longer forced to use large rooms for only a handful of people.
INDUSTRIAL PREMESIS
Although certainly not the most frequent line of enquiry, there is some demand for the fabric accordion partitions in factories. Over the years, I have dealt with a number of enquiries for very long partitions required to sub-divide one area from another, or to be fitted in the corner of a room to protect a particular piece of machinery. One project that I worked on a little while ago was at a factory in the Midlands where they needed multiple fabric partitions to segregate a few areas but wanted the partitions to be around 6 inches off the ground to avoid damage. This bespoke requirement was taken into account and made possible by the flexibility of the type of product which was used.
BENEFITS OF FABRIC FOLDING PARTITIONS
LIGHTWEIGHT
Fabric partitions are very easy to operate, in part, due to their weight. The 15dB version of this system weighs in at just 8 kg per m² whilst the heaviest variation at 35dB is only 22 kg per m². Compared to many wooden systems, such as hinged partitions or movable walls, the fabric vinyl partition is very lightweight which is part of its appeal in the types of environments mentioned earlier in this piece.
EASY TO CLEAN
Over time, general wear and tear is likely to affect the aesthetics of any product, however fabric partitions can very easily be cleaned with a damp cloth to keep them looking like new for many years. It is common for these partitions to last several decades if they are well maintained.
DURABLE
The longevity of these systems is another reason why they have been such a mainstay of the UKs folding partition industry for so long. I have come across many of these partitions that are more than 40 years old and still in pretty good condition. Obviously, as with anything, they must be well maintained to survive so long but the general maintenance of them is not much more than regularly lubricating the head (and floor if necessary) track and ensuring the fabric is kept clean and undamaged.
FLEXIBLE
Vinyl fabric concertina partitions have evolved over the years to cater for specific client requirements, this has led to more research and development which in turn has further increased the flexibility of these partitions.
- They can be manufactured up to ceiling heights around 6 metres, meaning they can be used in virtually any internal room.
- Being able to join multiple pieces of the partition together means that there is an unlimited opening width, so even the widest or longest of rooms can be sub-divided with a fabric partition.
- Amongst several innovations to these systems since the turn of the 21st century is that they can now be curved up to a 1 metre radius, this not only looks spectacular but also has practical functions, reducing costs as this means that additional partitions and meeting posts are not needed in some circumstances.
- Vision panels can now be incorporated within a fabric folding partition, a useful way of checking what’s happening on the other side of the screen and to allow more natural light into a room; these vision panels can be made in a variety of sizes.
- The standard hinges have been adapted to reduce the depth of the system when it is in a stacked position. There is now an option to have either a “narrow stack” with standard sized hinges which provides a stacking width of 255mm but protrudes further into the room or to have a “wide stack” which uses larger hinges and gives a 410mm wide stack but significantly reduces the depth of the stack, meaning that you get more free useable space when the partition is in the stacked position.
TOP HUNG OR FLOOR SUPPORTED
As standard the partitions are manufactured as top hung with no floor track. This means that the weight of the system is supported by a structure above, typically a timber beam. However, if there is insufficient supporting framework, or if there are other specific requirements, a floor supported option can also be supplied in which the system weight is predominantly held by the floor whilst the top rail simply acts as a guide to ensure the partition remains safely in place.
BESPOKE
One of the great benefits of any kind of folding partition, not just the fabric variety, is that they are manufactured entirely to the client’s specifications. It is very rare that any two opening sizes are exactly the same, or that the same acoustic requirements or colour will be needed, so each order is made to measure. This also means that you get more choice as to how you want your folding partition so it is right for your specific requirements. Everything from the colour, acoustic performance rating, where you want the partition to stack when not in use, the width of the stack area, if you want to include a lock, if you want a floor track – the list goes on – can be specified at order stage and manufactured to match your exact needs for each and every project we undertake.
CAN BE INSTALLED YOURSELF
Compared to other types of folding walls, the fabric accordion partitions are generally quite simple to install. We frequently receive enquiries for “supply only” quotations so our client can install the product themselves. Most maintenance managers, caretakers or handymen should be capable of fitting fabric folding partitions to a good standard and full step by step installation instructions are provided with every partition.
COLOUR CHOICES
Fabric folding partitions are available in a wide range of colours, in fact there are 24 standard colours held in stock so you should have no problem finding a colour which fits in well with the design of the rest of your room. As these partitions are completely bespoke, it is possible to have a different colour on either side of the system if required.
ACOUSTIC RATINGS
There are 4 different acoustic ratings available – 15dB, 24dB, 32dB and 35dB. The higher the dB rating, the more efficient the partition will be when it comes to providing an acoustic barrier. As a brief outline, the 15dB option barely provides any sound reduction, whereas the 32dB and 35dB options should muffle normal volume speech. It is impossible to ever say exactly how well a system will perform on site as there are so many variables to consider from the type of building, to the type of walls to nearby windows. With so many factors of “flanking transmission” on site acoustic performance could differ up to 10dB from one site to another, which is why laboratory tested acoustic ratings are the industry standard way of measuring the performance of any folding partition.
It should be noted though that fabric folding partitions are not primarily designed to achieve particularly high acoustic ratings, they are predominantly used as a visual barrier. If sound reduction is a key part of your project it may be more appropriate to use a hinged folding partition or an operable wall system instead.
It should be noted though that fabric folding partitions are not primarily designed to achieve particularly high acoustic ratings, they are predominantly used as a visual barrier. If sound reduction is a key part of your project it may be more appropriate to use a hinged folding partition or an operable wall system instead.
WHAT'S INSIDE A FABRIC FOLDING PARTITION?
The partition is held into place by 6mm pantographic steel rods, nylon hinges at 1 metre centres and steel U-channels. This internal framework is covered with heavy duty vinyl fabric and has top and bottom rubber seals. Varying amounts of acoustic infill (typically rubber mat or rockwool) are used inside the partition, depending on its acoustic requirements with the higher acoustic ratings needing more acoustic infill material and subsequently being slightly heavier as a result. |
MAINTENANCE
Vinyl fabric partitions are very easy to maintain and it is not uncommon for these systems to last in excess of 40 years if they are well looked after. The vinyl fabric finish can easily be wiped clean with a damp cloth to remove any marks or stains, other than lubricating the head and/or floor track every 12 months or so there isn’t too much in the way of maintenance required for these systems; another reason why they remain so popular today.
ARE FABRIC PARTITIONS CHILD FRIENDLY?
The fabric partitions are probably the safest for children, hence why they are so popular in nurseries and primary schools. With no panel joints there are no immediate finger trap hazards and the panel facing is softer and more forgiving than the wooden surface you typically find on a hinged folding partition or movable wall. If children are let loose with a crayon the surface can be wiped clean fairly easily.
However, you should never allow children to get too close to these partitions, where the partition shuts at the wall (single wing) or meets in the middle (bi-parting) there is the possibility that fingers could get caught and injured. Likewise with any floor tracks, small fingers could get stuck and injured. Panel faces can suffer long term damage if children are allowed to draw or pull at the partition as well so – as obvious as it sounds – children should always be asked to stay clear of the partition.
However, you should never allow children to get too close to these partitions, where the partition shuts at the wall (single wing) or meets in the middle (bi-parting) there is the possibility that fingers could get caught and injured. Likewise with any floor tracks, small fingers could get stuck and injured. Panel faces can suffer long term damage if children are allowed to draw or pull at the partition as well so – as obvious as it sounds – children should always be asked to stay clear of the partition.
WHY SHOULD I GET A FABRIC CONCERTINA?
Whilst not as frequently used as high acoustic rated operable walls or solid hinged folding partitions, the fabric folding partitions have been a mainstay of the UKs folding partition industry for well over 50 years and continue to service a niche in the market today.
They are lightweight yet highly durable, have a robust yet easy to clean finish and are highly flexible meaning that they can be used in a multitude of different environments from primary schools to residential homes, church halls to community centres. The added bonus of being comparatively more affordable than other types of folding partitions and that they are quick and easy to install and operate continues to make the fabric accordion partition an attractive option.
They are lightweight yet highly durable, have a robust yet easy to clean finish and are highly flexible meaning that they can be used in a multitude of different environments from primary schools to residential homes, church halls to community centres. The added bonus of being comparatively more affordable than other types of folding partitions and that they are quick and easy to install and operate continues to make the fabric accordion partition an attractive option.
HOW CAN I FIND OUT MORE?
If you would like more information about fabric folding partitions, you can contact us at any time.
Alternatively, if you have an upcoming project which may require this type of system, feel free to browse through our compressor product page and get in touch with us if you would like a quotation.
Alternatively, if you have an upcoming project which may require this type of system, feel free to browse through our compressor product page and get in touch with us if you would like a quotation.